EXISTING MEMBERS
Hi there! Did you know that Lancaster Compost Co-Ops is fully volunteer-run and member-supported? We understand that each of us has different abilities and face different commitments in our lives, and we welcome any and all contributions to sustaining this initiative. It could be providing your physical energy at a workday, sharing your perspective at the book club, or even taking a larger role, such as writing our seasonal newsletter.
See below for the many ways you can contribute, and feel free to offer your own ideas:
Member Activities
Attend Workdays (aka Compost Socials)
Join your compost captains and your neighbors to participate in fun, engaging, and crucial bin maintenance work days. These work days are for turning, adding to and sifting bin compost. That, and performing any necessary bin maintenance.
What
Every work day is a little bit different with varying activities based on the compost stage of your bin – from transferring contents to make room for more, to collecting browns, to sifting finished compost, to performing any necessary bin maintenance – every work day helps us care for our bin.
When
Compost captains schedule work days on a monthly to bi-monthly basis for about an hour during the active season (April-November) to ensure each bin is getting the love it deserves. Stay on the look out for emails and calendar invites from your compost captains to stay up to date on your bin’s next work day.
Where
At your community bin!
Why
Work Days are where we come together to be stewards and manage the health of our community bin. It is also a great opportunity to meet your neighbors and build community.
What To Bring
While we are actively working to stock the bins with more work day supplies, it never hurts to bring your own shovels, pitchforks, and work gloves to make work days even more productive. And don’t forget to bring water!
We aim to make work days accessible to people of all abilities. Please reach out if you have questions.
Participate In The Lancaster Compost Book Club
Run by compost member and sustainable agriculture expert Andrew, the Book Club is great if you want to connect more deeply on environmental topics and find like-minded individuals.
What
The Book Club digs into topics such as the teachings of trees, indigenous earth wisdom, the joys of native plants, the funky world of fungi, and the values of moving toward truly local living, and much much more.
When
Meetings are hosted year-round on a monthly basis; Once you are added to the list, you will receive monthly gmail invites.
Where
Hosted at varying locations on a rotating basis around the city and as the weather permits meetings are typically hosted in public parks. A special thanks to Curio. Gallery & Creative Supply and West Art Community Center for sharing their space with us.
Why
Join us for rich, fulfilling, and activating conversations that help you grow awareness and learn more about compost-adjacent subjects. Even better, you’ll join a community of like minded neighbors!
Where to Find Book Club Books
Pocket Books Shop stocks our books and supports co-op members with book club discounts! Or check out your local library.
What to Bring
Just bring yourself and when hosted outdoors, anything that will make you more comfortable (i.e. blanket, chair, water, etc.)
What if I don’t have time to read?
Don’t have time to read this month’s book or only read part of the book? No worries! All are welcome for discussion.
Check out the books we’ve read so far:
📖 Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass
📖 Suzanne Simard, Finding the Mother Tree
📖 Douglas Tallamy, Nature's Best Hope
📖 Merlin Sheldrake, Entangled Life
📖 Chris Smaje, A Small Farm Future
📖 Imbolo Mbue's, How Beautiful We Were
Leadership Roles
Become a Compost Captain
Do you enjoy the satisfaction of a bin work day well done? Do you take great pride in creating finished compost gold? Do you feel empowered to find creative solutions to help Lancaster city divert more waste? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you’d be a great candidate to become a co-compost captain!
The captain role is most essential to keep the co-op running. More than often a co-shared role with another member in your neighborhood, the captain is responsible for everything to keep the bin running. You will have full creative control over how you want to build community. Some of our captains also hold composting socials after work days while others are working with the city to plant a native plant garden.
Time Commitment
1-2 hours per month, largely during the active season (April to November)
Responsibilities
Scheduling work days, checking in on the bin health, leading new member orientations and work days, and building relationships with members
Other Support
You will receive training materials and access to our Gmail account. Our leadership team and network of other captains and experts are always ready to lend a hand as well.
Share Your Personal Expertise
We are always looking for help in the following areas:
Event Planning • Technical / Engineering work • Community Building & Partnership • Scientific Research • Digital / Video / Design Work
